Systems and Methods for Retention and Access for Storage Containers

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for retention and access to storage containers, including a flexible sidewall that is configured to be removably attached to an open side of a storage container. A retention and access system may be configured to be repositioned to increase a size of an opening into the container in order to access items stored lower down within the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a US Non-provisional application claimingpriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/272,966, entitled“Systems and Methods for Retention and Access for Storage Containers,”filed Oct. 28, 2021. The prior application is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Certain storage containers configured to be used in warehousingenvironments may have a three-sided structure with one open sideconfigured to facilitate access to items stored therein. However, storeditems may become dislodged and fall out from the storage containerduring transport or unloading. This represents a potential hazard,and/or may result in damage to the stored items. Accordingly, a needexists for a retention and access system configured to allow items to besecurely retained within such a storage container, while facilitatingeasy access and removal of said items when desired. Aspects of thisdisclosure relate to improved retention and access systems for storagecontainers.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Aspects of this disclosure relate to improved retention and accesssystems for increasing and/or maximizing a volume of merchandise thatcan be transported in a storage container from one area to another.This, in turn, may increase production efficiency in a supply chain ofan industrial environment and/or storage efficiency in non-industrialenvironments.

According to one aspect, a retention and access system for a storagecontainer includes a flexible sidewall that is configured to beremovably attached to an open side of a storage container. The flexiblesidewall may also include a panel that has a bottom edge that is spacedapart from a top edge by a panel height, and a left edge spaced apartfrom a right edge by a panel width. The flexible sidewall may alsoinclude a left side panel attachment strip that is flexibly attached tothe left edge of the panel, and a right side panel attachment strip thatis flexibly attached to the right edge of the panel. The flexiblesidewall may also include a top sleeve that is flexibly attached to thetop edge of the panel, and an elastic cord that is configured to extendthrough the top sleeve. The elastic cord may have a first coupler at afirst end and a second coupler at a second end, with the first couplerconfigured to be removably attached to a first portion of a left side ofthe container, and the second coupler configured to be removablyattached to a second portion of a right side of the container. Theretention and access system for the storage container may also include aleft side container attachment strip that is attached to and extendsalong a left edge of the open side of the storage container, with theleft side attachment strip configured to be removably attached to theleft side panel attachment strip. The retention and access system forthe storage container may also have a right side container attachmentstrip that is attached to and extends along a right edge of the openside of the storage container, with the right side container attachmentstrip configured to be removably attached to the right side panelattachment strip.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. The Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitedin the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A-1D schematically depict orthographic projections of a storagecontainer, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts the flexible sidewall, according to one ormore aspects described herein;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts an isometric view of the container of FIGS.1A-1D, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 4 schematically depicts an isometric view of a container to which aretention and access system is removably coupled, according to one ormore aspects described herein;

FIG. 5 schematically depicts an isometric view of a container to which aretention and access system is removably coupled, with a flexiblesidewall of the retention and access system in a partially openconfiguration, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 6 schematically depicts an isometric view of a container to which aretention and access system is removably coupled, with a flexiblesidewall of the retention and access system in a closed configuration,according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 7 schematically depicts an isometric view of an alternativeimplementation of a flexible sidewall that is removably coupled to astorage container, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 8 schematically depicts an isometric view of an alternativeimplementation of a flexible sidewall that is removably coupled to astorage container, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 9 schematically depicts the flexible sidewall of FIG. 8 in apartially open configuration, according to one or more aspects describedherein;

FIG. 10 schematically depicts an isometric view of an alternativeimplementation of a flexible sidewall that is removably coupled to astorage container, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 11 schematically depicts the flexible sidewall of FIG. 10 in apartially open configuration, according to one or more aspects describedherein;

FIG. 12 schematically depicts an isometric view of an alternativeimplementation of a flexible sidewall that is removably coupled to astorage container, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 13 schematically depicts the flexible sidewall of FIG. 12 in apartially open configuration, according to one or more aspects describedherein;

FIGS. 14A-14B schematically depict isometric views of a portion of theflexible sidewall of FIG. 2 , according to one or more aspects describedherein;

FIG. 15 schematically depicts a portion of the right wall of thecontainer of FIG. 1 and a portion of the flexible sidewall of FIG. 2 ,according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 16 schematically depicts another implementation of a portion of theright wall of the container of FIG. 1 and a portion of the flexiblesidewall of FIG. 2 , according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 17 schematically depicts another implementation of a portion of theright wall of the container of FIG. 1 and a portion of the flexiblesidewall of FIG. 2 , according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 18 schematically depicts another implementation of a portion of theright wall of the container of FIG. 1 and a portion of the flexiblesidewall of FIG. 2 , according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 19 schematically depicts in another implementation of a flexiblesidewall, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 20 schematically depicts in another implementation of a flexiblesidewall, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 21 depicts a container to which a retention and access system isremovably coupled, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 22 depicts another implementation of a flexible sidewall, accordingto one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 23 depicts a more detailed view of a portion of the flexiblesidewall of FIG. 22 , according to one or more aspects described herein.

Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent thescale of different component of one single embodiment; however, thedisclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments are shown in the drawings and will herein bedescribed in detail with the understanding that the present disclosureis to be considered as an exemplification, and is not intended to belimited to the embodiments illustrated. It is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functionalmodifications may be made, without departing from the scope and spiritof the present disclosure.

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration, various embodiments of thedisclosure that may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized.

In the following description of various example structures, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems,and environments in which aspects of the disclosures herein may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements ofparts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized andstructural and functional modifications may be made without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosures. Also, while the terms “top,”“bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” “upward,” “downward,” and thelike may be used in this specification to describe various examplefeatures and elements, these terms are used herein as a matter ofconvenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in thefigures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term“plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one,either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinitenumber. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring aspecific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fallwithin the scope of these disclosures. Also, the reader is advised thatthe attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

In general, aspects of this disclosure relate to retention and accesssystems and methods for production of a retention and access system.According to various aspects and embodiments, the retention and accesssystem may be formed of one or more of a variety of materials, such asmetals (including metal alloys), plastics, polymers, and composites, andmay be formed in one of a variety of configurations, without departingfrom the scope of these disclosures.

The various figures in this application illustrate examples of retentionand access systems according to this disclosure. When the same referencenumber appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is usedconsistently in this specification and the drawings refer to the same orsimilar parts throughout.

FIG. 1A-1D schematically depict orthographic projections of a storagecontainer 100 to which a retention and access system described in theproceeding disclosure may be applied/affixed. FIG. 1A depicts anelevation view of the storage container 100. FIGS. 1B and 1C depict leftand right side views of the storage container 100, respectively. FIG. 1Ddepicts a plan view of the storage container 100. It is contemplatedthat the various structures described throughout this disclosure may beimplemented with different geometries and/or dimensional values. Thestorage container 100 is one example of a structure to which theretention and access system may be affixed. In one implementation, thestorage container 100 may be formed as a metallic structure from square,rectangular, or circular steel tubing. However, additional oralternative materials may be utilized, such as wood, polymers, amongothers, to form the storage container 100. It is contemplated that thespacing between the various structural members may have any values. Thestorage container 100 may have a width 102, a depth 104, and a height106. However, the container 100 may have additional geometricalproperties, without departing from the scope of these disclosures.Products may be stacked within the storage container 100 on a basesurface 108. This base surface 108 may be formed as a solid surface ormay have an array of openings extending through the surface 108. Thecontainer 100 may additionally include a shelf 110 that may bepositioned and repositioned at different heights within the container100. Similarly to the base 108, the shelf 110 may be solid or may haveopenings that extend through a surface of the shelf 110. It iscontemplated that the storage container 100 may include multiple shelvessimilar to shelf 110. It is further contemplated that the storagecontainer 100 may additionally or alternatively include differentstorage bins or other receptacles for storing goods/items. In oneexample, the base 108 may include elements configured to receive a forkof a forklift truck, such that the container 100 may betransported/moved by a forklift truck. The container 100 may beconfigured with an open top, and three walls 112, 114, and 116. As such,the container may have an open side 118, with this open side allowinggoods to be loaded into/unloaded from the container 100. Advantageously,the retention and access system described in the proceeding disclosureprovides a flexible structure that prevents goods from falling out fromthe storage container 100 through the open side 118, while alsofacilitating easy access to those goods.

The retention and access system described in this disclosure may beremovably coupled to the storage container 100 using a left sidecontainer attachment strip 120, otherwise referred to as a left sidecontainer attachment 120, and a right side container attachment strip122, otherwise referred to as a right side container attachment 122. Theleft side container attachment strip 120 may be coupled to and extendalong a left edge of the open side 118 of the storage container 100.Similarly, the right-side container attachment strip 122 may be coupledto and extend along a right edge of the open side 118 of the storagecontainer 100. The coupling mechanism of the strips 120 and 122 mayinclude hook and loop fasteners, magnets, zippers, snaps, among others.It is contemplated that the use of the terms magnet and/or magnetic mayrefer to a permanent magnet, a material that may be magnetized, and/or aferromagnetic material that is attracted to a magnet when usedthroughout these disclosures. These strips 120 and 122 may beimplemented as continuous strips along the full height 106 of thecontainer 100, or may extend along a portion of the height 106. Further,one or more of the strips 120 and 122 may be implemented as multiplediscrete elements spaced along all or a portion of the height 106. Abottom side container attachment strip 124 may be affixed to and extendalong a bottom edge of the open side 118 of the container 100. Thisbottom side container attachment strip 124 may be similar to strips 120and 122. Further, the bottom side container attachment strip 124 mayextend along a full width 102, or a portion of the width 102.Additionally or alternatively, the container 100 may include a shelfattachment strip 126. This shelf attachment strip 126 may be similar tothe bottom side container attachment strip 124, and may extend along afront edge of the shelf 110. In certain examples, the shelf attachmentstrip 126 may be affixed to an underside of the shelf 110, or to asurface of the shelf 110 facing outward from the container 100. In oneexample, the strips 120, 122, 124 and/or 126 may be removably coupled toa flexible sidewall 200 to form a retention and access system.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts the flexible sidewall 200, according to oneor more aspects described herein. Accordingly, the flexible sidewall 200may be configured to be removably coupled to the open side 118 of thestorage container 100. The flexible sidewall 200 may include a panel202. The panel 202 may have a bottom edge 204 spaced apart from a topedge 206 by a panel height/length 208, and a left edge 210 spaced apartfrom a right edge 212 by a panel width 214. The panel 202 may beimplemented with any height 208 and width 214. In one example, the width214 may be at least equal to width 102 of the container 100. In certainexamples, the width 214 may be greater than the width 102 such thatportions of the panel 202 may extend around to the sides of thecontainer 100 and interact/removably couple with the strips 120 and 122.The height 208 may be at least equal to the height 106. In otherexamples, the height 208 may be less than or greater than the height106. In certain specific examples, the width 214 may be 52 inches, ormay range between 45 and 60 inches. The height 208 may range between 30and 70 inches. However, it is contemplated that the flexible sidewall200 may be sized to fit different opening geometries of storagecontainers similar to container 100, without departing from the scope ofthese disclosures.

The flexible sidewall 200 may additionally include a left side panelattachment strip 230, otherwise referred to as a left side panelattachment 230, that is flexibly coupled to the left edge 210, and aright side panel attachment strip 232, otherwise referred to as a rightside panel attachment 232, that is flexibly coupled to the right edge212 of the sidewall 200. It is contemplated that any coupling mechanismor methodology may be utilized throughout this disclosure to facilitaterigid or flexible coupling, such as sewing, fabric welding, riveting,stapling, screwing, nailing, gluing, among others. The sidewall 200 mayadditionally include a bottom side panel attachment strip 233 that isflexibly coupled to the bottom edge 204. The attachment strips 230 and232, may be configured to be removably coupled to the attachment strips120 and 122, respectively. The attachment strip 233 may be configured tobe removably coupled to the attachment strip 124 and/or 126.Accordingly, the attachment strips 230, 232, and 233 may be implementedwith the same attachment mechanism as the strips 120, 122, 124 and 126.The attachment strips 230, 232, and 233 may be hook and loop fasteners,magnetic strips/discrete magnetic elements spaced apart along the strips230, 232, and 233, zippers or snaps, among others. It is furthercontemplated that attachment strips 230, 232, and 233 may use differingfastening elements, without departing from the scope of thesedisclosures. For example, attachment strips 230 and 232 may utilize hookand loop fasteners to removably couple to attachment strips 120 and 122,and attachment strip 233 may use a magnetic strip to attach to amagnetic strip of the attachment strip 124 or 126. In one example, if amagnetic strip is used in one or more of attachment strips 230, 232,and/or 233, the container 100 may not need to be outfitted with acorresponding attachment strip 120, 122, 124 and/or 126 if the container100 is formed from a magnetic material such that the magnetic strip ofone or more of the attachment strips 230, 232, and/or 233 may bemagnetically coupled directly to the container 100.

The sidewall 200 may also include a top sleeve 234 that is flexiblycoupled to the top edge 206. This top sleeve may comprise a channelthrough which an attachment element may be received. In one example,this attachment element may include an elastic cord 236 that includes afirst coupler 238 at a first end, and a second coupler 240 at a secondend. In one example, the first coupler 238 and the second coupler 240may be hooks. In other examples, the first coupler 238 and secondcoupler 240 may include spring-loaded swivel bolts, magnetic elements,hook and loop fasteners, snap fasteners, cords configured to be tied toone another around a support structure, or any other removable fastenertype. The elastic cord 236 may have any length. The cord 236 may beconfigured to be removably coupled to the container 100. Specifically,the first coupler 238 may be removably coupled to a first portion of aleft side of the container 100, such as one or more of the members thatform the left wall 114 of the container 100. Member 142 is one suchelement (which may be a metal bar/rod) to which the first coupler 238may be removably coupled. Similarly, the second coupler 240 may beremovably coupled to a second portion of a right side of the container100, which as one or more of the members that form the right wall 112.Member 144 is one such element (which may be a metal bar/rod) to whichthe second coupler 240 may be removably coupled.

In another implementation, element 234 may be flexible top support panel234 formed from one or more layers of material that may not be open atone or more ends. Further, the first coupler 238 may be flexibly coupledto the top support panel 234 without extending through the top supportpanel 234. Similarly, the second coupler 240 may be flexibly coupled tothe top support panel 234 without extending through the top supportpanel 234. Accordingly, the first coupler 238 may be attached to the topsupport panel 234 at a left side of the top support panel 250, and thesecond coupler 240 may be attached to the top support panel 234 at aright side of the top support panel 252. As such, the cord 236 may be asingle cord that extends between the first coupler 238 and the secondcoupler 240, or two discrete cord length 236 a and 236 b.

In one example, the sleeve/top support panel 234 may include astiffening element that is positioned within the sleeve/panel 234 toprevent the sidewall 200 from sagging when attached to the container100.

It is contemplated that the structures described throughout thisdisclosure may be formed from any materials, or combination ofmaterials. Further, the materials may have any material thicknesses,without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In one example,the panel 202 may be formed from a transparent vinyl material. In otherexamples, the panel may be formed from a partially transparent or opaquematerial. The material of the panel 202 may include one or morepolymers, or canvas materials. It is further contemplated that the panel202 may be formed from multiple layers of materials.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts an isometric view of the container 100,according to one or more aspects described herein. Container 100 may aleft wall 114, a right wall 112, and a back wall 116. As depicted, shelf110 is removed from container 100 and may be removably positioned atdifferent heights within the container 100. It is contemplated that thebase surface 108 may extend out beyond the left and right walls 140 and112. The walls 112, 114, and 116 may be formed from multiple rods thatextend horizontally and vertically, with rod 302 an example of avertical rod and rod 304 an example of a horizontal rod. The number ofsuch rods and spacing therebetween may vary, without departing from thescope of these disclosures. The base surface 108 and/or the shelf 110(not depicted in FIG. 3 ) may be solid, or may include openings similarto one or more of the walls 112, 114, and/or 116. The container 100 mayadditionally include frame elements 306-322 that form the superstructureof the container 100 and to which the vertical and horizontal members(e.g., rods 302 and 304) may be affixed. These frame elements 306-322may be formed from square, rectangular, or circular rods of a same ordiffering cross-sectional geometry. In certain examples, the frameelements 306-322 may be similar to the horizontal and verticalmembers/rods 302 and 304.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts an isometric view of the container 100 towhich the retention and access system 400 is removably coupled,according to one or more aspects described herein. In one example, theretention and access system 400 is formed by the removable coupling ofthe flexible sidewall 200 to container 100 by one or more of the firstcoupler 238, the second coupler 240, the left side panel attachmentstrip 230, the right side panel attachment strip 232, and/or the bottomside panel attachment strip 233. It is contemplated that the firstcoupler 238, the second coupler 240, the left side panel attachmentstrip 230, the right side panel attachment strip 232, the bottom sidepanel attachment strip 233, the left side container attachments strip120, the right side container attachment strip 122, the bottom sidecontainer attachment strip 124, and/or the shelf attachment strip 126may be implemented with attachment mechanisms that are configured toprovide an attachment for sufficient to resist the mass of the goodsstored within the container 100. Accordingly, the systems describedherein may be utilized with any goods configured to be stored within thecontainer 100.

As depicted in FIG. 4 , the flexible sidewall 200 extends in asubstantially vertical plane. However, it is contemplated that thesidewall 200 may be utilized at different angles, without departing fromthe scope of these disclosures. As depicted in FIG. 4 , the retentionand access system 400 is in a fully closed configuration with theflexible sidewall 200 in a fully extended position. In contrast, FIG. 5schematically depicts an isometric view of the container 100 to whichthe retention and access system 400 is coupled with the flexiblesidewall 200 in a partially open configuration. In order to access itemsstored lower down within the container 100, a user may uncouple coupler238 from the first portion 502 of a left side of the container 100 anduncouple coupler 240 from the second portion 504 of the right side ofthe container 100. The user may then removably couple the coupler 238 toa third portion 506 on a left side of the container 100 and removablycouple the coupler 240 to a fourth portion 508 on the right side of thecontainer 100. The positions of the first, second, third and fourthportions 502, 504, 506, and/or 508 may vary, without departing from thescope of these disclosures. When positioned as depicted in FIG. 5 , allor a portion of the flexible sidewall 200 may be folded/rolled to form arolled portion 530, which results in an opening of height 532 to allowfor ease of access to items stored toward the bottom of container 100.As depicted in FIG. 5 , a portion of the attachment strips 230 and 232approximately equal to length 532 may be decoupled from correspondinglengths of attachment strips 120 and 122. The remainder of the length ofattachment strips 230 and 232 may remain attached to attachment strips120 and 122.

In other implementations, the flexible sidewall 200 may be positioned inalternative orientations. For example, the flexible sidewall 200 may bepositioned at 90° relative to the position depicted in FIG. 5 , or as180° relative to the position depicted in FIG. 5 . As such, the flexiblesidewall 200 may be configured to be opened from left to right or rightto left, rather than from top to bottom as depicted in FIG. 5 , or maybe configured to be opened from bottom to top, such that the flexiblesidewall 200 is decoupled and rolled upward from the bottom 204.

FIG. 6 schematically depicts an isometric view of the storage container100 with the flexible sidewall 200 removably coupled thereto, accordingto one or more aspects described herein. In the depicted implementationof FIG. 6 , the storage container includes a shelf 110. In one example,the flexible sidewall 200 may extend from a top 602 to a bottom 604 ofthe container 100. In another example, the flexible sidewall 200 mayextend from the top 602 down to the shelf 110.

FIG. 7 schematically depicts an isometric view of an alternativeimplementation of a flexible sidewall 700 that is removably coupled tothe storage container 100, according to one or more aspects describedherein. The flexible sidewall 700 may be similar to flexible sidewall200. The flexible sidewall 700 and may be formed from similar materials,and may utilize attachment strips similar to strips 230, 232, and/or233. However, the flexible sidewall 700 may include multiple panels702-710 that are similar to panel 234. Accordingly, each of the panels702-710 may include closures similar to closures 238 and 240. As itemsare removed from container 100, one or more of the closures associatedwith panels 702-710 may be removed to increase the size of the openinginto the container 100.

FIG. 8 schematically depicts an isometric view of an alternativeimplementation of a flexible sidewall 800 that is removably coupled tothe storage container 100, according to one or more aspects describedherein. The flexible sidewall 800 may be similar to flexible sidewall200 and formed from similar materials and utilize attachment stripssimilar to strips 230, 232, and/or 233. Panel 806 may be similar topanel 202. The flexible sidewall 800 may additionally include frontclosure mechanisms 802 and 804 that extend along a height of panel 806.These front closure mechanisms 802 and 804 may include zippers, snaps,magnetic strips, and/or hook and loop fasteners. In order to increasethe size of an opening into the container 100, the closure mechanisms802 and/or 804 may be actuated. FIG. 9 schematically depicts theflexible sidewall 800 in a partially open configuration with portion 810of the panel 806 folded to increase an opening to height 812.

FIG. 10 schematically depicts an isometric view of an alternativeimplementation of a flexible sidewall 1000 that is removably coupled tothe storage container 100, according to one or more aspects describedherein. The flexible sidewall 1000 may be similar to flexible sidewall200 and formed from similar materials and utilize attachment stripssimilar to strips 230, 232, and/or 233. Panel 1006 may be similar topanel 202. The flexible sidewall 1000 may additionally include a frontclosure mechanism 1010 that extends along a height of panel 1006. Thisfront closure mechanism 1010 may include a zipper, snaps, magneticstrips, and/or hook and loop fasteners, among others. In order toincrease the size of an opening into the container 100, the closuremechanisms 1010 may be actuated. FIG. 11 schematically depicts theflexible sidewall 1000 in a partially open configuration with portions1020 and 1022 of the panel 1006 folded to increase a size of an openinginto container 100.

FIG. 10 schematically depicts the closure mechanism 1010 extendingapproximately along a middle line of the panel 1006. It is contemplatedthat a similar closure mechanism 1210 may be positioned closer to oneside or the other of a middle line of a panel 1206, as depicted in FIGS.12 and 13 . In particular, FIG. 12 schematically depicts an isometricview of an alternative implementation of a flexible sidewall 1200 thatis removably coupled to the storage container 100, according to one ormore aspects described herein. The flexible sidewall 1200 may be similarto flexible sidewall 200 and formed from similar materials and utilizeattachment strips similar to strips 230, 232, and/or 233. Panel 1206 maybe similar to panel 202. The flexible sidewall 1200 may additionallyinclude a front closure mechanism 1210 that extends along a height ofpanel 1206. This front closure mechanism 1210 may include a zipper,snaps, magnetic strips, and/or hook and loop fasteners, among others. Inorder to increase the size of an opening into the container 100, theclosure mechanisms 1210 may be actuated. FIG. 13 schematically depictsthe flexible sidewall 1200 in a partially open configuration withportions 1220 and 1222 of the panel 1206 folded to increase a size of anopening into container 100.

FIG. 14A schematically depicts an isometric view of a portion of theflexible sidewall 200, according to one or more aspects describedherein. In one example, FIG. 14A schematically depicts a top left cornerof the flexible sidewall 200. The cord 236 may extend through a sheathor sleeve of the top support panel 234. The panel 202 may extend to anedge of the flexible sidewall 200 (e.g. edge 210). Additionally oralternatively, the flexible sidewall 200 may have a piping/edgingmaterial panel 1406 that extends around all or part of the flexiblesidewall 200. FIG. 14B depicts a similar view of the top left corner ofthe flexible sidewall 200, but with a spring-loaded swivel bolt 239 inplace of the book 238 from FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 schematically depicts a portion of the right wall 112 ofcontainer 100 and a portion of the flexible sidewall 200, according toone or more aspects described herein. In particular, FIG. 15schematically depicts a portion of the right side panel attachment strip232 and the right side container attachment strip 122. As schematicallydepicted in FIG. 15 , the attachment strip 232 comprises hooks of a hookand loop fastener, and the attachment strip 122 comprises loops of thehook and loop fastener. However, in alternative implementations, theattachment strip 232 may comprise loops, and the attachment strip 122may comprise hooks of a hook and loop fastener, without departing fromthe scope of these disclosures. FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15 , andschematically depicts a similar portion of the right wall 112 ofcontainer 100 and the flexible sidewall 200. In FIG. 16 , the attachmentstrips 232 and 122 are configured with snap fasteners. It iscontemplated that the spacing between the snap fasteners may have anyvalues and that one or more rows of fasteners may be used, withoutdeparting from the scope of these disclosures. FIG. 17 is also similarto FIG. 15 , and schematically depicts a similar portion of the rightwall 112 of container 100 and the flexible sidewall 200. In FIG. 17 ,the attachment strips 232 and 122 are configured with magneticfasteners. It is contemplated that the fasteners may include onlymagnets, or magnets and metallic elements that are attracted to magnets.Further, the spacing between the fasteners may have any values and thatone or more rows of fasteners may be used, without departing from thescope of these disclosures. In FIG. 18 , the attachment strips 232 and122 are configured with zipper fasteners.

FIG. 19 schematically depicts a flexible sidewall 1900, according to oneor more aspects described herein. In one example, the flexible sidewall1900 may be similar to the flexible sidewall 200, where similar numbersrepresent similar features of both sidewalls 200 and 1900. The sidewall1900 additionally includes a left side notch 1902 at a bottom leftcorner of the flexible sidewall 1900, and a right side notch 1904 at abottom right corner of the flexible sidewall 1900. The left side notch1902 and the right side notch 1904 may be configured to fit around aportion of a shelf, such as shelf 110. In one example, each of the leftside notch 1902 on the right side notch 1904 may have a length 1906 thatmeasures 2 inches. In another example, length 1906 may range between 0.5and 5 inches. The left side notch 1902 on the right side notch 1904 mayeach have a height 1908 that measures 1 inch. In another example, theheight 1908 may range between 0.25 and 5 inches. In alternativeimplementations, a flexible sidewall may utilize notch is havingdifferent geometries. FIG. 20 schematically depicts a flexible sidewall2000, according to one or more aspects described herein. In one example,the flexible sidewall 2000 may be similar to the flexible sidewall 200,where similar numbers represent similar features of both sidewalls 200and 2000. The sidewall 2000 additionally includes a left side notch 2002at a bottom left corner of the flexible sidewall 2000, and a right sidenotch 2004 at a bottom right corner of the flexible sidewall 2000.Notches 2002 and 2004 may have triangular geometries or any othergeometrical shapes, without departing from the scope of thesedisclosures The left side notch 2002 and the right side notch 2004 maybe configured to fit around a portion of a shelf, such as shelf 110. Inone example, each of the left side notch 2002 on the right side notch2004 may have a length 2006 that measures 2 inches. In another example,length 2006 may range between 0.5 and 5 inches. The left side notch 2002on the right side notch 2004 may each have a height 2008 that measures 1inches. In another example, the height 2008 may range between 0.25 and 5inches.

FIG. 21 depicts a container 2100 to which a retention and access system2102 is removably coupled. The container 2100 may be similar tocontainer 100, and the retention and access system 2102 may be similarto retention and access system 400. Further, FIG. 21 depicts thecontainer 2100 having a shelf 2104. This shelf 2104 may be similar toshelf 110. The container 2100 also includes a base surface 2106 similarto base surface 108. In one example, the base surface 2106 extends outfarther from sidewalls 2108 and 2110 than the shelf 2104. As depicted inFIG. 21 , the retention and access system 2102 may be configured toretain various goods/items 2112 within the container 2100 and allow anopening into the container 2100 to be enlarged as the items 2112 areremoved from the container 2100.

FIG. 22 depicts another implementation of a flexible sidewall 2200,according to one or more aspects described herein. The flexible sidewall2200 may be similar to flexible sidewall 200. Accordingly, the flexiblesidewall 2200 may be configured to be removably coupled to the open side118 of the storage container 100. The flexible sidewall 2200 may includea panel 2202. The panel 2202 may have a bottom edge 2204 spaced apartfrom a top edge 2206 by a panel height/length 2208, and a left edge 2210spaced apart from a right edge 2212 by a panel width 2214. The panel2202 may be implemented with any height 2208 and width 2214. In oneexample, the width 2214 may be at least equal to width 102 of thecontainer 100. In certain examples, the width 2214 may be greater thanthe width 102 such that portions of the panel 2202 may extend around tothe sides of the container 100 and interact/removably couple with thestrips 120 and 122. The height 2208 may be at least equal to the height106. In other examples, the height 2208 may be less than or greater thanthe height 106. In certain specific examples, the width 2214 may be 52inches, or may range between 45 and 60 inches. The height 2208 may rangebetween 30 and 70 inches. However, it is contemplated that the flexiblesidewall 2200 may be sized to fit different opening geometries ofstorage containers similar to container 100, without departing from thescope of these disclosures.

The flexible sidewall 2200 may additionally include a left side panelattachment strip 2230 that is flexibly coupled to the left edge 2210,and a right side panel attachment strip 2232 that is flexibly coupled tothe right edge 2212 of the sidewall 2200. It is contemplated that anycoupling mechanism or methodology may be utilized throughout thisdisclosure to facilitate rigid or flexible coupling, such as sewing,fabric welding, riveting, stapling, screwing, nailing, gluing, amongothers. The sidewall 2200 may additionally include a bottom side panelattachment strip 2233 that is flexibly coupled to the bottom edge 2204.The attachment strips 2230 and 2232, may be configured to be removablycoupled to the attachment strips 120 and 122, respectively. Theattachment strip 2233 may be configured to be removably coupled to theattachment strip 124 and/or 126. Accordingly, the attachment strips2230, 2232, and 2233 may be implemented with the same attachmentmechanism as the strips 120, 122, 124 and 126. The attachment strips2230, 2232, and 2233 may be hook and loop fasteners, magneticstrips/discrete magnetic elements spaced apart along the strips 2230,2232, and 2233, zippers or snaps, among others. It is furthercontemplated that attachment strips 2230, 2232, and 2233 may usediffering fastening elements, without departing from the scope of thesedisclosures. For example, attachment strips 2230 and 2232 may utilizehook and loop fasteners to removably couple to attachment strips 120 and122, and attachment strip 2233 may use a magnetic strip to attach to amagnetic strip of the attachment strip 124 or 126. In one example, if amagnetic strip is used in one or more of attachment strips 2230, 2232,and/or 2233, the container 100 may not need to be outfitted with acorresponding attachment strip 120, 122, 124 and/or 126 if the container100 is formed from a magnetic material such that the magnetic strip ofone or more of the attachment strips 2230, 2232, and/or 2233 may bemagnetically coupled directly to the container 100.

The sidewall 2200 may also include a top sleeve 2234 that is flexiblycoupled to the top edge 2206. This top sleeve 2234 may comprise a doublelayer of material to provide a reinforced top edge 2206 of the sidewall2200. In the depicted implementation of FIG. 22 , the top sleeve 2234may be a sealed top sleeve having a first magnetic coupler 2238 flexiblycoupled to a left side of the top edge 2206 of the sidewall 2200 and asecond magnetic coupler 2240 flexibly coupled to a right side of the topedge 2206 of the sidewall 2200. It is contemplated that the firstmagnetic coupler 2238 and the second magnetic coupler 2240 may be formedfrom any permanent magnet material of any strength and/or size. Further,the first magnetic coupler 2208 and the second magnetic coupler 2240 maybe configured to be used in a manner similar to the first coupler 238and the second coupler 240 discussed in relation to FIG. 2 .Specifically, the first magnetic coupler 2238 may be magneticallycoupled to a first portion of a left side of the container 100, such asone or more of the members that form the left wall 114 of the container100. Similarly, the second magnetic coupler 2240 may be magneticallycoupled to a second portion of a right side of the container 100, whichas one or more of the members that form the right wall 112. FIG. 23depicted a more detailed view of the second magnetic coupler 2240flexibly coupled to the right side of the top edge 2206 of the sidewall2200

It is contemplated that the structures described throughout thisdisclosure may be formed from any materials, or combination ofmaterials. Further, the materials may have any material thicknesses,without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In one example,the panel 202 may be formed from a transparent vinyl material. In otherexamples, the panel may be formed from a partially transparent or opaquematerial. The material of the panel 202 may include one or morepolymers, or canvas materials. It is further contemplated that the panel202 may be formed from multiple layers of materials.

In one aspect, a retention and access system for a storage container mayinclude a flexible sidewall that is configured to be removably attachedto an open side of a storage container. The flexible sidewall may alsoinclude a panel that has a bottom edge that is spaced apart from a topedge by a panel height, and a left edge spaced apart from a right edgeby a panel width. The flexible sidewall may also include a left sidepanel attachment strip that is flexibly attached to the left edge of thepanel, and a right side panel attachment strip that is flexibly attachedto the right edge of the panel. The flexible sidewall may also have afirst coupler flexibly attached to a left side of the top edge of thepanel and a second coupler flexibly attached to a right side of the topedge of the panel, such that the first coupler is configured to beremovably attached to a first portion of a left side of the containerand the second coupler is configured to be removably attached to asecond portion of a right side of the container. The retention andaccess system for the storage container may also include a left sidecontainer attachment strip that is attached to and extends along a leftedge of the open side of the storage container, with the left sideattachment strip configured to be removably attached to the left sidepanel attachment strip. The retention and access system for the storagecontainer may also have a right side container attachment strip that isattached to and extends along a right edge of the open side of thestorage container, with the right side container attachment stripconfigured to be removably attached to the right side panel attachmentstrip.

The first coupler and the second coupler may be configured to beuncoupled from the first and second portions of the container andcoupled to a third portion on the left side of the container and afourth portion on the right side of the container in order to accessgoods stored lower down in the container, such that the flexiblesidewall may be configured to fold to allow the first coupler and thesecond coupler to be removably coupled to the third and fourth portions,respectively, of the container.

The retention and access system may also include a top sleeve flexiblycoupled to the top edge of the panel. The top sleeve may be sealed atone or both ends.

The panel may have a window formed from a transparent vinyl material.

The panel may extend in a vertical plane at the open side of the storagecontainer, and may be configured to retain goods within the storagecontainer.

The first and second couplers may comprise magnets, ferromagneticmaterials, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or hooks.

The flexible sidewall may include a left side notch at a bottom leftcorner of the flexible sidewall and a right side notch at a bottom rightcorner of the flexible sidewall.

The left side container attachment strip may be coupled to the left edgeof the open side of the storage container and the right side containerattachment strip may be coupled to the right edge of the open side ofthe storage container by adhesive strips.

The left side container attachment strip may be coupled to the left edgeof the open side of the storage container and the right side containerattachment strip may be coupled to the right edge of the open side ofthe storage container by self-tapping screws.

In another aspect, a retention and access system for a storage containermay include a flexible sidewall that is configured to be removablyattached to an open side of a storage container. The flexible sidewallmay also include a panel that has a bottom edge that is spaced apartfrom a top edge by a panel height, and a left edge spaced apart from aright edge by a panel width. The flexible sidewall may also include aleft side panel attachment strip that is flexibly attached to the leftedge of the panel, and a right side panel attachment strip that isflexibly attached to the right edge of the panel. The flexible sidewallmay also include a top sleeve that is flexibly attached to the top edgeof the panel. The retention and access system for the storage containermay also include a left side container attachment strip that is attachedto and extends along a left edge of the open side of the storagecontainer, with the left side attachment strip configured to beremovably attached to the left side panel attachment strip. Theretention and access system for the storage container may also have aright side container attachment strip that is attached to and extendsalong a right edge of the open side of the storage container, with theright side container attachment strip configured to be removablyattached to the right side panel attachment strip.

The retention and access system may also include a first magneticcoupler that is flexibly attached to a left side of the top edge of thepanel and a second magnetic coupler that is flexibly attached to a rightside of the top edge of the panel, such that the first magnetic couplermay be configured to be magnetically coupled to a first portion of aleft side of the container and the second magnetic coupler may beconfigured to be magnetically coupled to a second portion of a rightside of the container.

The first magnetic coupler and the second magnetic coupler may includepermanent magnets.

The first magnetic coupler and the second magnetic coupler may includeferromagnetic elements, and the first portion of the left side of thecontainer and the second portion of the right side of the container mayinclude permanent magnets.

The retention and access system may also include a closure mechanismextending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the panel, the closuremechanism configured to removably couple a left portion of the panel toa right portion of the panel, wherein the closure mechanism is partiallyor wholly opened to access the storage container.

The retention and access system may also include an elastic cord that isconfigured to extend through the top sleeve, such that the elastic cordhas a first coupler at a first end and a second coupler at a second end.The first coupler may be configured to be removably coupled to a firstportion of a left side of the container and the second coupler may beconfigured to be removably coupled to a second portion of a right sideof the container.

According to one aspect, a retention and access system for a storagecontainer may include a flexible sidewall that is configured to beremovably attached to an open side of a storage container. The flexiblesidewall may also include a panel that has a bottom edge that is spacedapart from a top edge by a panel height, and a left edge spaced apartfrom a right edge by a panel width. The flexible sidewall may alsoinclude a left side panel attachment strip that is flexibly attached tothe left edge of the panel, and a right side panel attachment strip thatis flexibly attached to the right edge of the panel. The flexiblesidewall may also include a top sleeve that is flexibly attached to thetop edge of the panel, and an elastic cord that is configured to extendthrough the top sleeve. The elastic cord may have a first coupler at afirst end and a second coupler at a second end, with the first couplerconfigured to be removably attached to a first portion of a left side ofthe container, and the second coupler configured to be removablyattached to a second portion of a right side of the container. Theretention and access system for the storage container may also include aleft side container attachment strip that is attached to and extendsalong a left edge of the open side of the storage container, with theleft side attachment strip configured to be removably attached to theleft side panel attachment strip. The retention and access system forthe storage container may also have a right side container attachmentstrip that is attached to and extends along a right edge of the openside of the storage container, with the right side container attachmentstrip configured to be removably attached to the right side panelattachment strip.

The retention and access system may also include a bottom side panelattachment strip that is flexibly attached to the bottom edge of thepanel, and a bottom side container attachment strip that is attached toand extends along a bottom edge of the open side of the storagecontainer, with the bottom side container attachment strip configured tobe removably attached to the bottom side panel attachment strip.

The panel may also include a window formed from a transparent vinylmaterial.

The panel may extend in a vertical plane at the open side of the storagecontainer and may be configured to retain goods within the storagecontainer.

The left side panel attachment strip may be removably coupled to theleft side container attachment strip and the right side panel attachmentstrip may be removably coupled to the right side container attachmentstrip by hook and loop fasteners.

The left side panel attachment strip and the right side panel attachmentstrip may include a hook fasteners, and the left side containerattachment strip and the right side container attachment strip mayinclude loop fasteners.

The left side panel attachment strip may be removably coupled to theleft side container attachment strip and the right side panel attachmentstrip may be removably coupled to the right side container attachmentstrip by the zipper fasteners, by magnetic strip fasteners, and/or bysnap fasteners.

The elastic cord of the retention and access system may be configured tobe uncoupled from the first and second portions of the container andcoupled to a third portion on the left side of the container in a fourthportion on the right side of the container in order to access goodsstored lower down in the container, such that the flexible sidewall isconfigured to fold to allow the elastic cord to be coupled to the thirdand fourth portions of the container.

The flexible sidewall may also include a left side notch at a bottomleft corner of the flexible sidewall and a right side notch at a bottomright corner of the flexible sidewall, such that the left side notch andthe right side notch may be configured to fit around a portion of ashelf installed in the storage container.

According to another aspect, a retention and access system for a storagecontainer may include a flexible sidewall that is configured to beremovably attached to an open side of a storage container. The flexiblesidewall may also include a panel that has a bottom edge that is spacedapart from a top edge by a panel height, and a left edge spaced apartfrom a right edge by a panel width. The flexible sidewall may alsoinclude a left side panel attachment strip that is flexibly attached tothe left edge of the panel, and a right side panel attachment strip thatis flexibly attached to the right edge of the panel. The flexiblesidewall may also have a first coupler flexibly attached to a left sideof the top edge of the panel and a second coupler flexibly attached to aright side of the top edge of the panel, such that the first coupler isconfigured to be removably attached to a first portion of a left side ofthe container and the second coupler is configured to be removablyattached to a second portion of a right side of the container. Theretention and access system for the storage container may also include aleft side container attachment strip that is attached to and extendsalong a left edge of the open side of the storage container, with theleft side attachment strip configured to be removably attached to theleft side panel attachment strip. The retention and access system forthe storage container may also have a right side container attachmentstrip that is attached to and extends along a right edge of the openside of the storage container, with the right side container attachmentstrip configured to be removably attached to the right side panelattachment strip.

The first and second couplers may include hooks and/or spring-loadedswivel bolts.

The flexible sidewall may also include a left side notch at a bottomleft corner of the flexible sidewall and a right side notch at a bottomright corner of the flexible sidewall, the left side notch and the rightside notch may measure 1 inch in height and 2 inches wide. The panelheight may be between 30 and 70 inches and the panel width may bebetween 45 and 60 inches.

The left side container attachment strip may be attached to the leftedge of the open side of the storage container and the right sidecontainer attachment strip may be attached to the right edge of the openside of the storage container by self-tapping screws.

According to another aspect, a retention and access system for a storagecontainer may include a flexible sidewall that is configured to beremovably attached to an open side of a storage container. The flexiblesidewall may also include a panel that has a bottom edge that is spacedapart from a top edge by a panel height, and a left edge spaced apartfrom a right edge by a panel width. The flexible sidewall may alsoinclude a left side panel attachment strip that is flexibly attached tothe left edge of the panel, and a right side panel attachment strip thatis flexibly attached to the right edge of the panel. The flexiblesidewall may also have a first coupler flexibly attached to a left sideof the top edge of the panel and a second coupler flexibly attached to aright side of the top edge of the panel, such that the first coupler isconfigured to be removably attached to a first portion of a left side ofthe container and the second coupler is configured to be removablyattached to a second portion of a right side of the container. Theflexible sidewall may also include a closure mechanism that extends fromthe top edge to the bottom edge of the panel, with the closure mechanismconfigured to removably attached to a left portion of the panel to aright portion of the panel, such that the closure mechanism is partiallyor wholly opened to access the storage container. The retention andaccess system for the storage container may also include a left sidecontainer attachment strip that is attached to and extends along a leftedge of the open side of the storage container, with the left sideattachment strip configured to be removably attached to the left sidepanel attachment strip. The retention and access system for the storagecontainer may also have a right side container attachment strip that isattached to and extends along a right edge of the open side of thestorage container, with the right side container attachment stripconfigured to be removably attached to the right side panel attachmentstrip.

According to one aspect, a retention and access system for a storagecontainer may include a flexible sidewall that is configured to beremovably attached to an open side of a storage container. The flexiblesidewall may also include a panel that has a bottom edge that is spacedapart from a top edge by a panel height, and a left edge spaced apartfrom a right edge by a panel width. The flexible sidewall may alsoinclude a left side panel attachment that is attached to the left edgeof the panel, and a right side panel attachment that is attached to theright edge of the panel. The flexible sidewall may also include a firstcoupler attached to a left side of the top edge of the panel, and asecond coupler attached to a right side of the top edge of the panel,and the first coupler is configured to be removably attached to a firstportion of a left side of the container, and the second couplerconfigured to be removably attached to a second portion of a right sideof the container. The retention and access system for the storagecontainer may also include a left side container attachment that isattached to and extends along a left edge of the open side of thestorage container, with the left side attachment configured to beremovably attached to the left side panel attachment strip. Theretention and access system for the storage container may also have aright side container attachment that is attached to and extends along aright edge of the open side of the storage container, with the rightside container attachment configured to be removably attached to theright side panel attachment.

According to another aspect, a method of forming a retention and accessdevice for a storage container may include forming a flexible sidewallthat is configured to be removably attached to an open side of a storagecontainer. The method may also include forming a panel that has a bottomedge that is spaced apart from a top edge by a panel height, and a leftedge spaced apart from a right edge by a panel width. The method mayalso include forming a left side panel attachment that is attached tothe left edge of the panel, and a right side panel attachment that isattached to the right edge of the panel. The method may also includeforming a first coupler attached to a left side of the top edge of thepanel, and a second coupler attached to a right side of the top edge ofthe panel, and the first coupler is configured to be removably attachedto a first portion of a left side of the container, and the secondcoupler configured to be removably attached to a second portion of aright side of the container. The method may include forming a left sidecontainer attachment that is attached to and extends along a left edgeof the open side of the storage container, with the left side attachmentconfigured to be removably attached to the left side panel attachmentstrip. The method may also include forming a right side containerattachment that is attached to and extends along a right edge of theopen side of the storage container, with the right side containerattachment configured to be removably attached to the right side panelattachment.

The present disclosure is disclosed above and in the accompanyingdrawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served bythe disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various featuresand concepts related to the disclosure, not to limit the scope of theinvention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerousvariations and modifications may be made to the examples described abovewithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

I/We claim:
 1. A retention and access system for a storage container,comprising: a flexible sidewall configured to be removably coupled to anopen side of a storage container, the flexible sidewall furthercomprising: a panel having a bottom edge spaced apart from a top edge bya panel height and a left edge spaced apart from a right edge by a panelwidth; a left side panel attachment coupled to the left edge of thepanel and a right side panel attachment coupled to the right edge of thepanel; a first coupler coupled to a left side of the top edge of thepanel and a second coupler coupled to a right side of the top edge ofthe panel, wherein the first coupler is configured to be removablycoupled to a first portion of a left side of the container and thesecond coupler is configured to be removably coupled to a second portionof a right side of the container; a left side container attachment,coupled to and extending along a left edge of the open side of thestorage container, the left side container attachment configured to beremovably coupled to the left side panel attachment; and a right sidecontainer attachment, coupled to and extending along a right edge of theopen side of the storage container, the right side container attachmentconfigured to be removably coupled to the right side panel attachment.2. The retention and access system of claim 1, wherein the first couplerand the second coupler are configured to be uncoupled from the first andsecond portions of the container and coupled to a third portion on theleft side of the container and a fourth portion on the right side of thecontainer in order to access goods stored lower down in the container,wherein the flexible sidewall is configured to fold to allow the firstcoupler and the second coupler to be removably coupled to the third andfourth portions, respectively, of the container.
 3. The retention andaccess system of claim 1, further comprising: a top sleeve flexiblycoupled to the top edge of the panel.
 4. The retention and access systemof claim 1, wherein the panel further comprises a window formed from atransparent vinyl material.
 5. The retention and access system of claim1, wherein the panel extends in a vertical plane at the open side of thestorage container and is configured to retain goods within the storagecontainer.
 6. The retention and access system of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second couplers comprise magnets or ferromagnetic materials.7. The retention and access system of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond couplers comprise a plurality of hooks or a plurality of loops.8. The retention and access system of claim 1, the flexible sidewallfurther comprising: a left side notch at a bottom left corner of theflexible sidewall and a right side notch at a bottom right corner of theflexible sidewall.
 9. The retention and access system of claim 1,wherein the left side container attachment is coupled to the left edgeof the open side of the storage container and the right side containerattachment is coupled to the right edge of the open side of the storagecontainer by adhesive strips.
 10. The retention and access system ofclaim 1, wherein the left side container attachment is coupled to theleft edge of the open side of the storage container and the right sidecontainer attachment is coupled to the right edge of the open side ofthe storage container by self-tapping screws.
 11. A retention and accesssystem for a storage container, comprising: a flexible sidewallconfigured to be removably coupled to an open side of a storagecontainer, the flexible sidewall further comprising: a panel having abottom edge spaced apart from a top edge by a panel height and a leftedge spaced apart from a right edge by a panel width; a left side panelattachment strip flexibly coupled to the left edge of the panel and aright side panel attachment strip flexibly coupled to the right edge ofthe panel; a top sleeve flexibly coupled to the top edge of the panel; aleft side container attachment strip, coupled to and extending along aleft edge of the open side of the storage container, the left sidecontainer attachment strip configured to be removably coupled to theleft side panel attachment strip; and a right side container attachmentstrip, coupled to and extending along a right edge of the open side ofthe storage container, the right side container attachment stripconfigured to be removably coupled to the right side panel attachmentstrip.
 12. The retention and access system of claim 11, furthercomprising: a first magnetic coupler coupled to a left side of the topedge of the panel and a second magnetic coupler coupled to a right sideof the top edge of the panel, wherein the first magnetic coupler isconfigured to be magnetically coupled to a first portion of a left sideof the container and the second magnetic coupler is configured to bemagnetically coupled to a second portion of a right side of thecontainer.
 13. The retention and access system of claim 12, wherein thefirst magnetic coupler and the second magnetic coupler comprisepermanent magnets.
 14. The retention and access system of claim 12,wherein the first magnetic coupler and the second magnetic couplercomprise ferromagnetic elements, and the first portion of the left sideof the container and the second portion of the right side of thecontainer comprise permanent magnets.
 15. The retention and accesssystem of claim 11, further comprising: a closure mechanism extendingfrom the top edge to the bottom edge of the panel, the closure mechanismconfigured to removably couple a left portion of the panel to a rightportion of the panel, wherein the closure mechanism is partially orwholly opened to access the storage container.
 16. The retention andaccess system of claim 11, further comprising: an elastic cord,configured to extend through the top sleeve, the elastic cord having afirst coupler at a first end, and a second coupler at a second end,wherein the first coupler is configured to be removably coupled to afirst portion of a left side of the container and the second coupler isconfigured to be removably coupled to a second portion of a right sideof the container.
 17. The retention and access system of claim 11,further comprising: a bottom side panel attachment strip flexiblycoupled to the bottom edge of the panel; and a bottom side containerattachment strip, coupled to and extending along a bottom edge of theopen side of the storage container, the bottom side container attachmentstrip configured to be removably coupled to the bottom side panelattachment strip.
 18. The retention and access system of claim 11,wherein the left side panel attachment strip is removably coupled to theleft side container attachment strip and the right side panel attachmentstrip is removably coupled to the right side container attachment stripby hook and loop fasteners.
 19. The retention and access system of claim11, wherein the left side panel attachment strip is removably coupled tothe left side container attachment strip and the right side panelattachment strip is removably coupled to the right side containerattachment strip by magnetic strip fasteners.
 20. A method of forming aretention and access device for a storage container, comprising: forminga flexible sidewall configured to be removably coupled to an open sideof a storage container, the forming of the flexible sidewall furthercomprising: forming a panel having a bottom edge spaced apart from a topedge by a panel height and a left edge spaced apart from a right edge bya panel width; forming a left side panel attachment coupled to the leftedge of the panel and a right side panel attachment coupled to the rightedge of the panel; forming a first coupler coupled to a left side of thetop edge of the panel and a second coupler coupled to a right side ofthe top edge of the panel, wherein the first coupler is configured to beremovably coupled to a first portion of a left side of the container andthe second coupler is configured to be removably coupled to a secondportion of a right side of the container; forming a left side containerattachment, coupled to and extending along a left edge of the open sideof the storage container, the left side container attachment configuredto be removably coupled to the left side panel attachment; and forming aright side container attachment, coupled to and extending along a rightedge of the open side of the storage container, the right side containerattachment configured to be removably coupled to the right side panelattachment.